Buckeyes still in chase for 5-star prospect

Feb. 10, 2014

Written by

James Jahnke

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT — Malik McDowell, the five-star defensive end from surburban Detroit who verbally committed to Michigan State on National Signing Day this past week, might take unofficial visits to Ohio State and Florida State, his father told Rivals.com.

McDowell’s family has not returned phone messages since before Signing Day.

McDowell is considered one of the top 25 recruits in the 2014 class. He is the only recruit among the top 250 in the nation not to have signed a scholarship.

McDowell’s parents, Greg McDowell and Joya Crowe, publicly stated their desire for their son not to go to Michigan State before Signing Day. When he announced his decision for the Spartans on Wednesday, his father said he would support the decision. However, his mother did not attend the ceremony at Southfield High School.

Verbal commitments are nonbinding until a National Letter of Intent is signed and sent to a university. The McDowells have until the end of March to do so.

Greg McDowell told Rivals that his son is “open” to taking additional visits to Ohio State and Florida State, who were his other finalists, along with Michigan. Greg McDowell said Michigan still is in the picture, too.

“We plan on doing some unofficials and see if he and his mom can resolve this,” McDowell said. “It’s possible she’ll be open to Michigan State as well, so we’ll have to see.

“We plan on getting down to Florida State as soon as possible, and with Ohio State being a three-hour ride, we’ll drive over and sit down.”

McDowell took his official visit to Florida State Jan. 17 and his official visit to Ohio State Jan. 31.